Christopher Boffoli checked out an unusual fire call tonight in the 7900 block of 35th SW (map). Three crews appeared on the 911 log as active on a call described as “investigate – out of service,” including Ladder 11, which you see in Christopher’s photo. Firefighters told him there was a fire at a rental house there, but it was out long before they arrived – the neighbors called when they noticed melted and burned window blinds. Investigators were called to find out what might have caused the fire. We’ll follow up later to see what they discover.
(July 2008 photo by David Hutchinson)
That was one of many photos we published the night of July 25, 2008, when flames engulfed a duplex on 56th SW, just off Alki Ave, sending up smoke that was seen for miles around and drew quite a crowd. What was left of the charred building has stood there ever since – till now:
According to city records, a permit was granted in January for “fire damage repair and addition … to existing duplex”; last month, the permit was amended to add “demolition of fire-damaged portions” of the duplex.
(photo added 6:26 am)
Firefighters are at the scene of a house fire in the 8800 block of 18th SW (map). According to the scanner, they say it’s tapped. We’ll have info from the scene shortly. 6:28 AM UPDATE: Some of the fire crew is already pulling out. They think a ceiling fan started the fire. No injuries but “a lot of mess, a lot of smoke” and they’re ventilating the house right now. Five people were in the house, and they all got out OK. 7:04 AM: Adding video from the mop-up … within less than an hour, as some fire crews left and others mopped up, the only sign of the fire visible from outside was the light smoke still coming from the roof:
(scroll down for newest info – adding fire cause at 2:47 pm)
(top photo courtesy Aimee, added 8:07 am; photo below, our original cameraphone pic from 7:01 am)
ORIGINAL 6:49 AM REPORT: Checking on house fire call in 5600 block of 25th SW (map). In e-mail, Aimee says the house was at one point “fully engulfed in flames.” According to the scanner, “one occupant of the house has received some injuries” and is getting help from the Medic 32 crew at the scene. 7:01 AM: Fire reported “knocked down … with hot spots and heavy debris.” Our crew has just arrived – added cameraphone photo above. From the front, house appears pretty much gutted. 7:17 AM: On scene, SFD tells us that five people got out safely (we’d heard on the scanner that was “one male, four females”). The fire is not believed to be “suspicious” but the cause is still under investigation. Still checking on the status of the person who’s being treated in Medic 32 at scene. (update) We’re told that the “one male” they were trying to check for smoke inhalation, refused treatment. 7:55 AM: In the media briefing at the scene, deputy chief Jessie Youngs said two of the people were in the basement and a neighbor was slightly hurt getting them out. Here’s our video of his 2-minute briefing:
And here’s a clip of firefighters inside the house once the fire was out (except for hot spots):
10:03 AM: Just checked with SFD; investigators are still working to figure out how this fire started. 2:48 PM UPDATE: Seattle Fire has just announced the fire’s cause – accidental, started by “unattended candles.” Damage estimate: $200,000. More info on SFD’s Fire Line site – including candle-safety information.
We received this last weekend and realized we hadn’t shared it. The photo above came with just a few lines:
The house on Beach Drive that had a fire the day before Thanksgiving, has started rebuilding again. After a long wait with the Insurance investigator, we finally have the go ahead.
From WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli: A car fire south of The Junction is getting some extra attention from investigators tonight. Just before 7 pm, firefighters were called out to the 5200 block of California (map). They quickly put out the fire, which was apparently confined to the passenger compartment of a late model Lincoln Town Car. Fire investigators arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and taped off the parking lot. The front passenger window of the car was shattered and there appeared to be a red plastic gas can on the front seat of the car. Investigators seemed to be studying the contents of the car, including some loose papers and a set of blue latex gloves. There were no injuries reported and no apparent damage to the adjacent buildings. We will keep following up to see what investigators determine about the fire’s cause.
(Video shot as we arrived at Admiral Safeway while crews were checking out Sunday’s small fire)
With questions raised in discussion of the pre-Super Bowl Admiral Safeway deli fire, we wanted to follow up with Seattle Fire Department sooner rather than later, regarding what firefighting equipment was on hand and whether the store should have been evacuated. SFD spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen has talked with the crew that was on scene, and here’s what she just told us: The range at the store has an in-hood system that “did what it was supposed to do” – it’s got built-in chemicals that dropped down onto the grease fire and put it out, while also shutting off power. “The fire was out when firefighters got there,” she said, adding that they “checked for extension” – whether it had spread (that’s why you see firefighters on the roof in our video clip) – and it hadn’t. Regarding whether the store should have been evacuated, Vander Houwen said some smoke “vented” but the “smell of burning food” was the biggest consequence of the grease fire and it “wasn’t a life-safety concern.” (1:50 PM P.S. – The deli’s back open today.)
(P.S. Only related because it’s the same site, but we’re always looking for excuses to publish reminders – the next Design Review meeting for the Admiral Safeway redevelopment project is this Thursday, 6:30 pm, Youngstown Arts Center.)
(Photo added 3:19 pm – police/fire presence behind the store)
On our way to a “fire in building” callout at 2622 California SW, which is the Admiral Safeway. 3 PM UPDATE: We’re still en route but via Twitter, @mamamilkers says it’s a deli fire, and that as of a few minutes ago, the store had not been evacuated. Here’s a photo she tweeted.3:07 PM UPDATE: We’re just arriving – still lots of fire and police. Another update from @mamamilkers on Twitter – she says, “We left when there were flames and smoke billowing out of the stove in the deli.” 3:12 PM: We’re at the store. The deli’s closed and fire crews are inside but there’s no exterior sign of fire and the store remains open – people are still shopping. The incident commander tells us it involved “a problem in one of the fryers.” No injuries reported, and the fire’s out; crews are packing up to leave.
As reported here yesterday afternoon, a small fire in the Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) sanctuary was extinguished quickly – but forced the church to move last night’s holiday concert into the Fellowship Hall (photo here) and is leading to some extra work this week getting ready for Thursday night’s Christmas Eve services. Church (among many other Fauntleroy endeavors) volunteer Judy Pickens shares the photo above – explaining that it’s a Christmas ornament stuck to the charred edge of the altar cloth, which was among the “smoldering materials involved in the fire.” She adds:
Christmas Eve services are on at Fauntleroy Church United Church of Christ, despite a small fire on Sunday afternoon. It appears to have started from am ember left behind when candles were extinguished after the morning service. By mid afternoon, smoldering fabrics atop the altar had filled the sanctuary with smoke and activated the smoke alarm. Firefighters arrived en masse and broke a pane of the big window to get at the fire. No cost estimate of the damage is yet available.
The three services on Christmas Eve will be at 4:00, 7:00, and 11:00 PM.
We checked today with Seattle Fire spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen, who says the investigation closed with firefighters’ conclusion that the fire was indeed accidental.
Thanks to Tom Dirks for sharing that photo – and headline – via Facebook. Less than four hours after a small fire in the Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) sanctuary, the church’s Christmas concert is under way as promised, moved to the Fellowship Hall. Here’s our previous report on the fire; while we won’t likely have final official word on its cause till tomorrow, it was believed to be accidental, and investigators were examining both candles and a lighting display. Nobody was hurt, and while the sanctuary needs some repair and airing out, people were allowed back into the co-housed Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) within an hour, so everything’s OK there. As we noted in an update on the previous story earlier this hour, sprinkler-system installation is part of the major renovation work that’s just getting under way at the church.
(photo added 3:07 pm) 2:25 PM: It started as an “auto fire alarm” but has just upgraded to a “fire in building” call and the road’s blocked off at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California; map) and more units are on the way. We’re headed down to find out more. 2:29 PM: Scanner says the fire is “tapped” – so it was small – and they’re canceling some of the units – but avoid the area TFN. 2:36 PM: We’re on scene. Some smoke visible on the roof, and firefighters are up there too. Don’t know yet where/how it started or how much damage but the church has just embarked on a renovation/remodeling project. It also was scheduled to have the Christmas concert tonight – we will be checking on its status. At the scene, firefighters are telling us that people ARE being allowed back into the YMCA portion of the building now. 2:51 PM: We don’t know the cause yet but we are told the fire was in the sanctuary, and that a window broke, or was broken – we hope to speak to church officials shortly – they’re said to be out getting plywood. Also, the roadblocks resulting from the fire call have just been removed, and traffic is going through again. ]
3:07 PM: Photojournalist Matt Durham from mattdurhamphotography.com is at the scene too and he and WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand have gathered this information from firefighters and church staff: The main damage is to the altar and to a “standard” window in the sanctuary. Investigators are looking at a lighting display and candles as possible causes. Fauntleroy Church pastor Rev. David Kratz says the main focus for them will be clearing the smoke smell out of the sanctuary in time for Christmas Eve services Thursday; as for tonight’s scheduled concert, it’s still on, and will likely move into the Fellowship Hall.
ADDED 6:07 PM: In that photo by Matt Durham, Rev. Kratz and Lyn Kratz were talking with Engine 26’s Lt. Bennet about how to secure the sanctuary right after the fire. Meantime, church volunteer Judy Pickens has reminded us since then about one key component of the church’s remodeling project that will be even more welcome now – a sprinkler system.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli, added 5:52 pm) 4:32 PM: Beach Drive is about to be blocked off both ways in the 4200 block because of a house-fire call. We’re on the way plus monitoring via scanner – more as we get it. The address has changed from the original report – it’s now 4213. 4:41 PM UPDATE: The call has “closed” on 911 – we’re just arriving in the area and will find out what happened. Road’s open.
On our way to a “fire in building” call at 7313 Fauntleroy Way (map). 5:08 AM: According to the scanner, the building’s a triplex. Fauntleroy is blocked because of the fire response – that’s significant for traffic to and from the ferry dock, which will have to detour. Everyone is reported to have gotten out of the building OK. 5:21 AM: The fire is under control; it’s in the “void space” between the first and second floors of the building, confirms SFD spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen, who’s now at the scene and confirms everyone’s out OK, nobody hurt. We’re adding a cameraphone photo. 5:31 AM UPDATE: One firefighter suffered minor injuries and will be taken to the hospital. The fire’s now been declared “tapped.” 5:37 AM: Some of the units are pulling out. Not sure how much longer Fauntleroy will be blocked. By the way, if you’re hearing sirens near Alki, separate incident – a few crews are on the way to check out a report of light smoke and detectors going off in the 3400 block of 60th. (Update: “Nothing visible” when they got there.) 6:09 AM: Confirmed, no fire there. Back to the Fauntleroy fire, here’s video of the smoke we saw after arriving at the scene:
Via Facebook, Robert says traffic is starting to get through at the scene. We’ll be heading down the hill to check on that momentarily. 6:37 AM: Fauntleroy Way has officially reopened in both directions.
9:15 AM UPDATE: Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen says investigators have ruled the fire accidental due to overheated electrical wiring. Damage is put at $250,000. Here’s a picture taken at first light this morning. 1:21 PM:Here’s how SFD summarized the fire on its Fireline site.
If you’re seeing smoke near The Bridge – it’s a truck fire in the 3200 block of 16th SW on Harbor Island (map). Heavy black smoke, as you can see in the cameraphone photo we just received (thanks!). 11:59 AM UPDATE: Via Twitter, @brucecmoore says the smoke’s turned white, so firefighters are getting a handle on it fast. No report of injuries so far. Thanks also to everyone who’s e-mailed reports on this. 12:07 PM UPDATE: Zach sent photos from Pier 56 across the bay:
There are some traffic effects too – @romabit tweets that they’re stuck on Harbor Island. 12:57 PM UPDATE: We can confirm firsthand that at least one path off the island is still blocked by police – the fire scene is under an elevated ramp – here’s what’s left of the truck (the cab in particular was incinerated, but scanner traffic indicated the driver got out OK):
1:33 PM UPDATE: Thanks to Jesse Doerr for a clearer photo of the scene.
Jesse also reports:
Witnesses on the scene say that the truck collided with one of the supports of the overpass onto Harbor Island and caught fire. The driver got out safely and seems to only have minor injuries to his hand. Quite a big fire though, the flames were coming up under the road and visible on top shooting up around both sides.
Traffic on Harbor Island is just now loosening up, as police found a way to route around the fire-aftermath scene.
(cameraphone photo added 6:16 am) ORIGINAL 5:55 AM REPORT: Big response to a house fire in the 4200 block of Beach Drive [map]. More shortly. 6:15 AM: Beach Drive is blocked off from La Rustica to Me Kwa Mooks because of the callout, which is – as noted in comments – at an under-construction home on the water side of Beach. 6:21 AM: The fire’s tapped. Fire Department spokesperson Helen Fitzpatrick is there and confirms that nobody was inside at the time and that no one’s been hurt – the fire appears to have originated on the second floor; they’re trying to reach the building’s owner. 6:26 AM: Note that the Beach Drive closure is affecting the 37 bus – via Twitter, @crm4444 advises that it’s being rerouted up Jacobsen and, “Looks like 37 riders north of Jacobsen need to catch at 63rd/Admiral till fire action clears.” 6:59 AM: Adding video of ladder crew working once the flames were out. When our camera pans back to the truck, you can see why the entire road is closed at that spot:
No word yet on the cause. 7:06 AM: SFD spokesperson Fitzpatrick now says one firefighter suffered an arm injury and had to go to the hospital. 7:18 AM: Heading back to the scene for an update. Beach Drive is still closed at Weather Watch Park on the north side. 8 AM: Still closed both ways; incident commander at the scene tells us northbound Beach Dr should reopen within an hour, southbound (the side the burned house is on) will be a bit longer. No word on the cause yet; investigators are in the house now:
In the daylight, it’s clear that the new construction where the fire happened is actually a two-story add-on in front of the old house.
10:30 AM UPDATE: Investigators say this was an accidental fire – damage estimated at $250,000. SFD says they haven’t zeroed in on exactly what sparked it, but it’s clear it was not deliberately set, so that’s the ruling.
(photo added 12:28 pm)
On our way to check – it’s a ‘fire in single-family residence’ call in the 8600 block of 22nd SW. 11:41 AM UPDATE: Small fire in the house’s breaker box, out now, no one hurt.
(photo substituted 7:32 am, this one’s by Christopher Boffoli)
We’re on our way to the “fire in single-family residence” call in the 4400 block of 45th SW (map). 7:05 AM: Per the scanner, the fire’s been “knocked down,” and firefighters are checking to make sure it didn’t spread. 7:10 AM: Firefighters have confirmed the fire’s tapped. Some of the units are pulling out. No report of injuries. 7:38 AM: Fire investigators haven’t arrived yet so we don’t have specifics on what burned or how it started, but the incident commander confirmed that no one was hurt and that damage was light enough that the home’s residents should be allowed back in later today. 8:11 AM: We’ll update here when that info comes in later. Meantime, here’s a bit of video from the scene.
10:14 AM UPDATE: According to Dana Vander Houwen from SFD, the fire was accidental, caused by faulty wiring in the attic. Damage is estimated at $40,000.
While Seattle Fire investigators have their hands full with an arsonist in the North End (PhinneyWood coverage here), they have ruled NO foul play in an early-morning fire in Highland Park: The fire at a house in the 7900 block of 9th SW (map) was accidental, no injuries, damage estimated at $70,000. (Thanks to Diane for the tip.)
(Our camera’s flash helps prove how well those reflective strips work!)
Usually toward the end of Highland Park Action Committee meetings, there’s a “Local Business Spotlight” organized by HPAC vice chair Nicole Mazza, with information about an area business and maybe even a raffle. Last night, she threw a changeup, inviting Seattle Fire Department personnel from nearby Station 11, led by Lt. Russell Wiseman (second from left). They answered questions and shared details about how they work, including:
*They work in 24-hour shifts that change at 7:30 am, four people in the station per day. When they arrive for the day, they have to check all their gear, make sure everything works, from the vehicle to the “shocker” that might be needed to revive someone in cardiac arrest. Inbetween emergency calls, their day will include everything from cooking to housekeeping to exercise to training.
*Their training doesn’t just involve fighting fires – since they are first responders to many medically related calls, that requires a lot of training, not just CPR – earlier on Wednesday, they’d spent four hours in “street medicine” training, for example, and they’ve also recently received training regarding the flu and how to deal with patients without bringing it home to their families or spreading it between calls. And they are trained in counseling people in difficult situations, such as deaths that happen before or during the incident – “we see more dead people than most.”
Ahead – What’s the difference between a fire engine and fire truck? Is there a “fire station dog”? and more:Read More
(Photos added 6:16 pm – top one by Tim Bosworth, next one by Tony Bradley)
Tony Bradley is at the scene. He says it’s a vacant house, and that 30th is closed between Roxbury and 102nd. No word yet on how it started; official info is scarce so far, but no indication at this point of any injuries. 7:08 PM UPDATE: More info from Tony:
According to fire officials the house appeared to be vacant (as reported to him via dispatch). The official also said the house appeared to be undergoing renovation. At this time there is no cause but the county fire investigator was en route (there was no indication it was weather related). Several units from South King County (Sea Tac, Burien/Normandy Park as well as North Highline) as well as Seattle (Engine 11, 37, Ladder 11, and Battalion Chief 7) were dispatched and working on the scene. The fire was quickly brought under control quickly once the first-in companies arrived. 30th is closed between Roxbury and 102nd and will remain closed until fire crews can clear the street. Traffic on Roxbury was not affected.
ADDED 7:20 PM: Two more photos from Tony:
Thanks again to everyone who sent word of the fire – we got Tony’s call first, but several other people e-mailed and tweeted – just so happened we were in a downpour in traffic when it broke out – we answer the WSB hotline 206-293-6302 around the clock, wherever we are, so make sure it’s in your contacts list just in case you see/hear news!
(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli, substituted for earlier camphone photo @ 8:19 pm)
Single-family residence fire call in 4800 block of 26th SW (map). More to come. 7:54 PM UPDATE: WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli says it’s suspected the fire started in the kitchen; it’s tapped now, and the family who was home got out OK (as also reported in comments). 8:14 PM UPDATE: Fire investigators at the scene confirm the kitchen is where it started, but they haven’t yet figured out exactly what sparked the fire. They also say the family will not be able to go back into the house tonight.
(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli) ADDED 9:27 PM: Christopher’s video:
No official cause announced yet; whenever it is, tonight or tomorrow, we’ll add it here. TUESDAY 12:30 PM: According to Helen Fitzpatrick with Seattle Fire, the cause was food on the stove catching fire accidentally; the flames spread to cabinets and then the attic. Damage = $30,000.
On our way to a single-family residence fire call at 42nd and Edmunds. More shortly. 7:03 PM: Closed fast but we’re continuing on to see what it was. (Footnote: Scene totally clear. We’re carrying on with tonight’s other coverage of three community meetings.)
(Sunday photo by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli) As promised, we checked with the Seattle Housing Authority today regarding what one of the Stewart Manor residents told WSB contributing photojournalist Matt Durham after yesterday morning’s fire – that there are no sprinklers, and that it was dark inside. SHA spokesperson Virginia Felton looked into the questions for us. First, regarding sprinklers:
Stewart Manor does NOT have sprinklers. The building was built before they were required and it would be very expensive to retrofit with sprinklers. One of our construction managers estimated half a million dollars to add sprinklers to Stewart Manor. Because of how most of our high rise buildings are built, they are highly rated for fire safety in spite of not having sprinklers. They are made of concrete and masonry with steel framing. In every instance where I have known of a fire in our high rise buildings, it has consistently been restricted to the one unit where it started. This was also the case at Stewart Manor. Even though the smoke damage is extensive, the fire damage is limited to the fifth floor apartment where the fire originated.
So what about emergency lighting? We asked if its absence was why the resident reported dark hallways. Felton’s reply:
All our apartment buildings are equipped with standard illuminated exit signs. The taller ones have been fairly recently equipped with backup generators that run the elevators and hallway lights if the power goes off. At six stories, Stewart Manor is NOT equipped with a back up generator. In any event, back up or emergency lighting only becomes functional if there is a power outage, which was not the case with this fire at Stewart Manor. The hallways were dark (and hot) because of the thick smoke. Investigation this morning shows that some exit signs (made of plastic) melted from the heat that rose to the ceiling in the hallways.
(Sunday photo of firefighter Bennett from Ladder 7, taken by WSB contributing photojournalist Matt Durham)
She also tells WSB that cleanup crews have been at the building all day today, working on cleanup, and that more residents will be able to return to their apartments later in the day “and we will make sure everyone has a place to stay.” According to the Seattle Fire Department report yesterday, the fire – which sent three people to the hospital for what SFD described as “minor smoke inhalation” – started with someone heating shoe polish to shine shoes, and did $175,000 damage.
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